On May 22nd 2001 it was my everlasting pleasure to be present at a Charity gig at the Birmingham Academy.  On stage were the immortal BLACK SABBATH.  The occasion was just prior to their massive gig at Milton Keynes and was in honour of Ozzy's mother, who had sadly passed away a couple of weeks before.  St Basil's Hospice, here in Birmingham, were the recipients of the proceeds of this sell out gig.  Ozzy and the lads were at their supreme best - standing there, listening to the perfection on the stage, was a never to be forgotten experience.  To be able to sound just like a CD track, live on stage, is the hallmark of the professional. These guys are just that - professional perfection.  I could have stood at the front as I had arrived early on but decided that to be able to hear them it would be better further back. Which was just as well as Ozzy was in his "bucket mode" and soon the audience in the front half were happily soaked to the skin due to buckets of water being thrown over them by the "Wizard of Oz" himself! Blessed by the Oz!  Pictures taken at the gig are below.

The lads went through a strong selection of classics, including the brilliant Faeries wear Boots and Iron Man.  Also included was a new song called Scary Dreams from their next album.  Earlier that day I had met some of the bands entourage and had acquired a signed photo of Ozzy which had already been promised to a friend in America. I was sorely tempted to keep it, and so was my youngest daughter who wanted it too.  Ah, well - maybe I will get another? Below is a scanned image of that photo.  The poster above, given to me by my daughter, is advertising his new album.

The band was formed here in Birmingham, UK in 1968.  A friend of mine, who knew Ozzy in those days, told me of a story relating to the band's formation.  It seems that Oz wanted to form a band and went around to a local guitarist's house (It may have been Tony Iommi?) pulling a plimpsol on a piece of string.  He knocked on the door and, when answered, asked if he would like to help form a band.  The guitarist asked why Oz had this shoe on a piece of string to which Oz replied that his dad would not let him have a dog!  I also believe he was wearing a cowsmock! The guitarist said to Oz that he was mad and yes, he would join his band!  Another friend, both of these workmates, tells me that he lives opposite Tony Iommi's former house in Streetly where the garage walls are still covered in Sabbath lyrics!!  Polka Tulk were formed comprising Tony Iommi, Terry "Geezer" Butler, Bill Ward and Ozzy.  Changing their name to Earth they took the pub and club circuit by storm with a high energy blend of blues and rock.  The lads had been schoolmates from a working class Birmingham background, they earned a fervent following throughout the Midlands. In 1968 they changed their name to Black Sabbath. This came from the film "Black Sabbath", a cult horror film.  In 1969 they arrived at the recording studios to record their first album. Their image is partly down to the record company, in producing the sleeve, turned a cross upside down due to the bands name.

The album, Black Sabbath, eventually arrived in the British charts where it remained for 3 months and came to the attention of a wider, devoted audience on both sides of the Atlantic. Recognition came internationally with the release of Paranoid, a pioneer in the field of heavy metal. Paranoid reached No:1 in the UK and No:8 in the US, where it stayed in the charts for over a year and earned Black Sabbath platinum.

Masters of Reality, their 3rd album came out in August 1971. Masters of Reality reached the Top 10 in the USA and stayed a best seller for over a year.

Volume 4 was recorded in early 1972 in Los Angeles.  In addition to their powerhouse style, this album marked a whole new side of Black Sabbath with meodic selections like Cornucopia and Laguna Sunrise.

The 1973 album, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath emerged as a classic amongst albums.  Rick Wakeman played keyboards on this track. The first time the line up had changed for any track. Their fantastic title song was produced and written by the band and is a high point in Sabbath's long recording career.  Earning the band critical acclaim, this album included such standards as Killing Yourself to Live; Looking for Today and A National Acrobat.

Black Sabbath's Sabotage, their 6th album, was released in 1975 heralded Black Sabbath at the peak of their powerful career.  My own favourite track, "The Thrill of it All" appears on this album along with classics "Hole in the Sky; Symptom of the Universe; The Writ; Am I going Insane and Megalomania"

In 1979 Oz left to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Dave Walker then Ronnie James Dio (3 years with Rainbow) and saw Sabbath bring out "Heaven and Hell".  The album was a Top 10 best seller which was followed a UK and USA tour. In 1981 "Mob Rules" was released, also followed by US and UK tours. On this album was Vinnie Appice, their new drummer.  In 1982, Black Sabbath released their first live album, "Live Evil". Shortly after this, Vinnie Appice and Ronnie James Dio left the band.

Ian Gillan, formerly of Deep Purple, joined the band in 1983. Returning Bill Ward, took on the drums. On tour, Bev Bevan (ELO) replaced Bill Ward. After the tour Bev and Ian Gillan left the band. Dave Donato replaced Ian Gillan with Bill Ward returning.  The lineup never recorded anything as Dave Donato was sacked by the band after some rather egotistic comments featured in a magazine article.  After a while Geezer Butler left and the band split up.

In 1986, Black Sabbath, featuring Tony Iommi, released "Seventh Star".  Glen Hughes (Deep Purple) was the frontman but after 10 dates into a US tour, Glen left the band to be replaced by Ray Gillen, who finished off the tour as frontman.

In 1987 the bands 14th album was released, "The Eternal Idol".  The line up consisted of Tony Iommi; Tony Martin (vocals); Dave Spitz; Bob Dailsey (bass); Bev Bevan (percussion) and Eric Singer (drums).  Ray Gillen actually recorded this album but left before its release. Tony Martin re-recorded the vocals and the album was released. In 1989 "Headless Cross" was released.

The 1989 line up consisted of Tony Iommi; Tony Martin; Cozy Powell; and Laurance Cottle who was then replaced by Neil Murray. In 1990, 22 years after the birth of Black Sabbath, the band released album 16 "Tyr" with the band once again gaining some momentum.

1992 was the year of the "Reunion". Tony Iommi, Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler, Vinnie Appice.  Their album "Dehumanizer" sold throughout the world. In 1994 their 18th album "Cross Purposes" was released - this time the bands line up was: Tony Martin; Geezer Butler; Tony Iommi and Bobby Rondinelli. In 1995, album 19 arrived in the shops. "Forbidden" had the bands lineup as: Tony Martin; Neil Murray; Tony Iommi and Cozy Powell.  Cozy left the band after the US leg of a tour to be replaced by Vinnie Appice.